Job Description

Position Summary

The General Manager, Lingua Franca, is responsible for overseeing all aspects of grape supply, wine production, operational management, and brand leadership for Lingua Franca. This role leads the Winemaking, Operations, and Vineyard teams to achieve strategic and annual objectives, deliver exceptional wines, and maintain the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance. The GM also serves as the brand ambassador, representing Lingua Franca in key markets and industry events.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Operations

• Oversee and direct all winery and vineyard operations, ensuring alignment with Lingua Franca’s strategic plans, annual goals, and quality standards.
• Develop and manage operational and capital budgets, monitor performance, and implement effective cost controls.
• Optimize production processes to achieve lowest cost, highest quality, and adherence to safety protocols.
• Preserve and protect winery assets, including facilities, equipment, and inventory.

Winemaking & Vineyard Management

• Lead the winemaking team in producing wines that reflect Lingua Franca’s style, varietal integrity, and regional characteristics.
• Guide all phases of production, from grape harvest through fermentation, barreling, aging, and bottling.
• Collaborate with winemaking leadership on sensory evaluation, blending, and quality assurance.
• Oversee vineyard management to ensure grape quality and supply meets production needs.
• Evaluate and implement innovative technologies and analysis tools (e.g., Wine X-ray analytics) to support winemaking decisions.

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, select, train, and supervise winery, vineyard, and operations staff; foster a culture of excellence, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Provide clear direction, mentorship, and feedback to build a proactive, service-oriented team.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, environmental, and safety policies.

Brand Representation & External Relations

• Serve as Lingua Franca’s ambassador at industry events, winemaker dinners, trade organizations, and key market activations.
• Collaborate with Brand Marketing and Sales to develop and execute marketing strategies, support inventory management, and drive sales.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners, including vendors, third-party producers, and distributors.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Champion continuous improvement initiatives in production, quality, and customer service.
• Proactively identify opportunities to enhance operational efficiency, product quality, and brand value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Food Science, Fermentation Science, Viticulture, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 8+ years of progressive experience in cellar operations and winemaking, with 5+ years in management roles within the wine or beverage industry.
• Demonstrated leadership in winery, vineyard, and multi-site operations.
• Strong technical orientation; experience with winemaking analytics and technology tools.
• Excellent financial acumen, project management, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to lead teams, develop talent, and foster collaboration.
• Experience representing brands in market and at industry events.
• Ability to work in varied physical conditions (lifting, exposure to climate and production environments).
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel as needed.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Willingness to work in production environments with variable temperatures and conditions.
• Ability to stand, walk, climb, and perform manual tasks as required by winery and vineyard operations.

Additional Information

Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties and responsibilities as needed to meet business objectives.

Location

Salem, Oregon

Additional Locations

Job Type

Full time

Job Area

Operations and Production:

The salary range for this role is:

$144,000.00 - $234,900.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. Our compensation is based on cost of labor. For remote locations or positions open to multiple locations, the pay range may reflect several US geographic markets, including the lowest geographic market minimum to the highest geographic market maximum. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, the prevailing minimum wage for the location, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, any collective bargaining agreements, and business or organizational needs. At Constellation Brands, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), and any other benefits to eligible employees.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Equal Opportunity

Constellation Brands is committed to a continuing program of equal employment opportunity. All persons have equal employment opportunities with Constellation Brands, regardless of their sex, race, color, age, religion, creed, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics), marital status, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), familial status, military or veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related conditions (or any other group or category within the framework of the applicable discrimination laws and regulations).